Local Girl Scouts take on issue of bullying

By Iva Kay Horner Publisher/Editor

Posted:
04/09/2013 08:59:43 AM MDT

Updated:
04/09/2013 09:00:52 AM MDT

Troop 82928 of Beaver Valley Elementary School, and several adults presented their ideas for their Stomping Out Bullying program at last week s Board of Education meeting. (Iva Kay Horner/News-Tribune)

With the help of troop leaders and interested students from various grade levels in the Brush School District, a group of Girl Scouts from Beaver Valley Elementary School, are tackling the issue of bullying.Members of the Brush Board of Education heard from Troop 82928 at last week's meeting, with the troop's goal to "Stomp Out Bullying" in the district.Members of the "Bully Patrol," led by Troop Leader Tina Stewart, with assistance from other adults, told the board that in addition to making posters and Power Point presentations to get the word out, the group of students also have had tee-shirts made."I love it when we have students advocating for other students," Beaver Valley interim principal Connie Dreitz stated. "It's an activity that's outside of school, yet it's pulling to the school…any time we have kids who want to push against bullying, I'm all for it," she commented.The program began approximately a month ago, according to Stewart, who said, "We hope to spread our wings outside of Brush. That is our girls' goal.""I'm very impressed with the girls," added Jennifer Schlatter, counselor at Beaver Valley. "It's a lot of work and they've been handling it very well."In an attempt to involve more than students within the district, Stewart explained that tee-shirts will be available to the public in the near future.Also recognized at last week's meeting were a number of Beaver Valley students who raised test scores by 25 points or more in the areas of reading, math or language arts.

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"Some have even raised in two areas by 25 or more points from when they took the test in the fall to this past winter," Dreitz explained, adding, "It's pretty significant to be in that 25 or more points. Most kids raise from five to eight or nine points and you guys raised by 25 or more and I'm just thoroughly impressed."In presenting certificates of achievements to students, Dreitz announced the point variances, with 35 points as the most raised in math; 27 points in reading and 35 points in language. Two students, she added, raised their scores in two different areas.The interim principal also announced the third grade music program will be held Thursday, April 18 at 6:30 p.m. with the Valley Voices concert scheduled for Thursday, April 25 at 6:30 p.m. to be held at the Church of the Nazarene.Receiving accolades from the board for their accomplishments in state wrestling this year were three members of the team, Conrad Cole, Kyle Rosenbrock and Alec Petterson, along with Coach Troy Lussenhop. Members not present include Mackey Sandoval, Jake Morrow and Joe Carwin."We have a lot of sophomores, a lot of talent," Lussenhop told the board. "It's a great time to be a Brush wrestling fan. These kids are going to take the Brush wrestling name a long way. It's a talented group of kids and it's exciting to be their coach. We have learned a lot along the way…me from them and them from me," he noted. "All did great…there will be multiple state titles."The team finished 23-3 for the season.In other matters before the board, Superintendent Dr. Michelle Johnstone reported on the resources available through the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) website, a tool that she uses for school performance. "You can get a ton of information in here. It's loaded with resources that I access constantly," she told the board, adding that she also can look at information pertaining to all 178 school districts in the State of Colorado.Aaron Oberg, School Business Officer, added, "They want to make the school view everything you need to know from a transparency side…it is an exceptional tool to look into what our district has.""I wanted you to be aware of the resource that is sitting there," the superintendent continued. "The CDE is amazing on what they are doing to support districts right now."Board members also heard from Brush High School (BHS) Counselor Laurie Unger and BHS business instructor Danielle Odle, who proposed a Financial Management/Career Exploration course as a graduation requirement for students.According to the women, the course "could easily fit into the current requirements with one additional vocational course already included in the requirement."In the course, students will complete state-mandated Individual Career and Academic Plan requirements during an extensive career exploration unit. Additionally, students will receive financial literacy instruction that follows the CDE financial literacy standards that soon will be tested on TCAPs, they explained.Financial Management will be encouraged as a freshman credit to ensure ICAP and TCAP requirements are met."I have a lot of confidence in Danielle's ability to work with this and students," Under noted. "This would be a good avenue to take."Already utilizing the College in Colorado program, Odle explained, "It's perfect to combine the two and bring them together."As this item was a modification, no vote by the BOE was needed.Board members approved the 2013-14 school calendar, with Dr. Johnstone explaining school will begin on August 21 and end one day sooner on May 30. A graduation date has not yet been set, as letters are being sent to the parents of juniors to receive feedback on whether to have the service the weekend of Memorial Day or the weekend prior.In other business, the board approved a job description brought forward by Dr. Johnstone for the position of Director of Curriculum, Assessment and Educator Effectiveness.According to the superintendent, the position would oversee the organization and operation of an effective pre-K-12 education program, as well as lead the district's work in curriculum, instructions and assessment as it relates to meeting the requirements of the state. The person filling the position also would manage the administration of district and state assessments of academic performance, analyze and interpret district-wide assessment data for improving classroom instruction and curricular program, as well as develop and maintain quality Staff Development and Extended Learning programs for the district.Board members also reviewed and individually approved United Improvement Plans for Thomson Primary School, Brush Middle and High Schools, as well as the district plan. The plan for Beaver Valley Elementary was approved earlier in the school year.Resolutions supporting Classified Staff Appreciation Week and Certified Staff Appreciation Week, set for May 6-10, also received board approval.In personnel business, board members accepted resignations from BHS Principal Dave Vondy, effective June 28; head girls basketball coach Tom George, effective March 20; BHS Spanish/ELS teacher Philip Winn, BHS Math teacher Alexandra Gabrieloff, both effective May 30; and Director of Technology Randy Dalton, effective April 5.The retirement of BHS Family and Consumer Science teacher Peggy Kohrmann was approved and is effective April 5. Board members also approved a leave of absence for the remainder of the year for Amanda Brown, LPN, at Thomson Primary School.Employed for the next year were Erin Keller to serve as head volelyball coach at the high school, and Denise Williams, who will fill a bus monitor/aid position.The next meeting of the Brush Board of Education will take place on Tuesday, April 16, with the regular session to begin at 7 p.m.

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